22 October 2012
Chapter 42:
(Part 1/2)
"Mr Daniels, I'm sorry, but there's nothing else I can do for you." His temper was increasing more than I had ever seen before, and I knew he wasn't going to settle for second best. "I need to see my children! I have every right to be with them; just as much as that woman." He said, referring to his ex-wife. "Look, I know you love them, but quite honestly, I do wonder how stable you are; how you can look after two kids all by yourself, in your condition." I leaned forward on the desk, trying to sympathise with the man as much as I could. "I'll stop drinking!" He shouted. "I promise." He broke down in front of me, covering his face with his hands. "Sometimes, Miss Anderson, love is all you need to make things better." I stopped to think about what he said when he continued again. "I love these children so much. I'll do whatever it takes to be with them." He said standing from his chair. I also stood up to join him. He was right; if he could stop drinking then he had a good chance to have full custody over his kids. His wife wasn't much better, and I could see how strong his love for the two was. "Then you know what? We're gonna fight for them." I held onto his arm tightly. "Fight for what they deserve."
The court hearing was the next week, and I was more ready for this than any other case. The judge would surely be able to see how much he cared about them, how much he needed them in his life. "Miss Anderson, how many times are we going to sit in this court room. We already decided that Mr Daniels could see the children once a week." Opened the judge sternly. "Once a week is not enough. Mr Daniels deserves full custody of Clara and Michael." I replied. "Very well. Then let the hearing begin." He hit the wooden gavel firmly against the desk, giving me my cue to start.
The day was long and droning, and I was up against a top lawyer, who was pushy and harsh in his interrogation. I could see how my client loved the children in a way that wasn't portrayed with the mother. She was more interested in her current boyfriend to be quite honest, and he was someone both Mr Daniels and I didn't trust.
All was going smoothly, until the hearing was brought to a dramatic end. The hammer struck once again, and the fight was over. "We have come to a decision; we will allow Mr Daniels to have custody over the children," my heart began to soar, I thought we'd done it. "For two days a week." Revealed the judge in a heartless manner. "Thank you." He stood up from behind his tiered desk and walked out from the back door.
I felt angry and frustrated with the court. I didn't understand how they couldn't see what was best for these kids. I turned to face my client, who sat staring straight ahead. "I'm so sorry." He turned back to face me. "Don't be, you did everything you could." And with that, he stood up and left the court room. I had let him down, after assuring him that he'd get his kids back. I wanted to make everything better, for us both to feel satisfied and happy, but I just couldn't.
by vera©
The Wedding Shop • Opuss № I